When you’re on vacation, the last thing you want is a medical or dental emergency, but unfortunately they do happen! Here’s what you need to know for what to do during a dental emergency while traveling.
How Pre-Vacation Prevention Can Help
Before you leave for your vacation, it’s helpful to schedule a dental checkup (if you are due for one). Your dentist can spot issues like cracks, cavities, and gum irritation before you leave for your trip, hopefully preventing any issues. They can also give recommendations for a mini dental emergency kit to take with you, such as wax for braces, pain relief methods, floss, and a travel toothbrush.
Common Dental Emergencies on Vacation
Whether you’re trying out a new activity or simply eating at a new restaurant, all kinds of dental emergencies can happen. Common ones include toothaches, broken teeth, problems with your dentures or Invisalign, lost or broken fillings, and knocked out teeth. These can be uncomfortable or even extremely painful, and we want to make sure you get help right away.
What to Do During a Dental Emergency While Traveling
If you find yourself or a loved one experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to stay calm. First, we recommend calling your home dental practice to see if they can offer you remote guidance for what steps to take next. Next, try to find a reputable dentist nearby—you can use google to check reviews or ask your hotel for good recommendations. If the emergency isn’t urgent, we also recommend trying an over-the-counter remedy such as a pain reliever or cold compress to help with discomfort.
What to Do After Traveling
When you get home from your vacation, we recommend following-up with your doctor to scan for any remaining issues.
General Dental Tips While Traveling
It’s easy to fall out of your routine while you travel, but we highly recommend following healthy dental habits on vacation. Make sure you’re brushing and flossing twice a day, drinking lots of water while in the car or on a plane, and try to skip sugary snacks as much as possible.
Book Your Pre-Trip Dental Appointment
One of the best things to do before leaving for a trip is to make sure you’re healthy! You can make a dental appointment online at one of our St. Louis Park or Bloomington, MN dental locations and we’d be happy to prep you for your next vacation!
